In a statement released late today, Ms Gillard explained her decision to stay out of the political limelight next weekend.

"I have respectfully decided not to be present at next Sunday's campaign launch because I simply do not want to distract in any way from Kevin Rudd's powerful message to the Australian people," she said.

"I stand with all those throughout our party, and with our great candidates, in voicing my fervent hope for a decisive Labor victory on September 7."

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Ms Gillard had made plain her position.

"It's entirely appropriate that she make her own call on it," he told ABC television today.

"I respect her decision entirely."

Mr Rudd reflected on his own decision to attend the Labor election campaign launch in 2010 despite being deposed by Ms Gillard.

"The difference is in 2010 I was of course recontesting (the election)," he said.

Ms Gillard has been absent from Labor's election campaign in 2013.

Mr Rudd said he "honoured" Ms Gillard's record and would not engage in character assassination of her.

Asked if he was thankful Gillard supporters had not sabotaged his campaign in the same way his backers had in 2010, Mr Rudd said: "I'm not going to go into internal debates within the Labor Party."

He distanced himself from comments he made on Friday referring to the fact that Ms Gillard had been on track to lead Labor to a catastrophic defeat.

"I said that bluntly at the time (of the leadership spill)," he said.

The Prime Minister said Australia was a better place as a result of "the extraordinary work which Julia has done", citing her education reforms and the introduction of the disability insurance scheme.

Ms Gillard, who is retiring from parliament at this election, has been absent from Labor's election campaign in 2013.

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